Motor vehicle top washer



June 12, 1934. F. x. ZIMMER 7 MOTOR VEHICLE TOP WASHER Filed June 10,1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l EZ Z'mmr June 12, 1934. Z E 1,962,167

MOTOR VEHICLE TOP WASHER Filed June 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 l Zimmar Patented June 12, 1934 PATENT OFFICE MOTOR VEHICLE TOP WASHER FrankX. Zimmer, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery Corporation,San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application June 10, 1930,Serial No. 460,223

8 Claims. (01. 15-21) This invention relates to improved means forautomatically washing the top of a motor car.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a washing device whichis entirely automatic in its operation, it only being necessary for themotor car to passv beneath the washing device when the latter will scruboff the top of the machine as it passes thereunder.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an automatic washingdevice of the above described character a novel means for permitting themotor vehicle to pass under and maintain its top in contact with theWashing device, without marring or otherwise damaging the top of thevehicle.

best understood from a consideration of the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings formingpart of this specification, with the understanding, however, that theinvention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing ofthe drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes ormodifications mark no material departure from the salient features ofthe invention as expressed in the appended claims. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the structure embodying thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the same, portions thereof being insection. I

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals ofreference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, thewashing device embodying the present invention is illustrated as beingsuspended from the monly found in unfinished frame buildings, that ofthe same proceeds and the invention will be is with the joists orrafters 3 as the case may be exposed to View.

While the device has been shown as suspended from a ceiling it is, ofcourse, to be understood that it is not to be limited to a mounting ofthis 0 character for it will be readily apparent that it may be mountedupon a scaffold structure or in other ways to permit a motor vehicle topass therebeneath. While, as above stated, the mounting of the device isnot to be limited to the method shown still the description of themounting will be confined to the use of a roof or ceiling for thesupport of the device.

The device comprises an elongated rectangular frame 4 having the spacedparallel side beams 5 and the front and rear cross beams 6 and 7respectively. Inwardly of the rear beam '7 a cross member 8 ispositioned and this member and the rear beam are connected by a bottomboard 9 to form a trough 10 across the rear of the frame, which 'isfilled with cement or any other suitable ballast.

At a point inwardly of the rear ends of the frame each of the sidemembers is traversed by a pivot bolt 11 which passes through the lowerends of a pair of suspension beams 12 between which the side member ispositioned. These suspension beams 12 are secured at their other ends tothe ceiling joists 3 in the manner shown and since the pivots 11 aredisposed between the transverse center of the frame and the rear end itwill be readily seen that the forward end of the frame will normally tipdownwardly.

At a point adjacent the suspension beams 12 there is extended across thetop of the frame a platform 13 upon which is mounted at one side of theframe a motor 14. This motor is provided with a sprocket gear 15 uponthe end of its arma ture shaft, theshaft being of a sufficient length tolocate the sprocket gear beyond the adjacent side of the frame. Theframe is suitably reinforced by the obliquely directed and crossed bracebars 16, these bars crossing at a point substantially directly below theplatform 13.

Asshown the front cross beam 6 of the frame 4 is disposed inwardly ofthe forward ends of the side members 5 so that there may be mountedbetween these forward ends of the side members a transverse shaft 17.This shaft has its ends extended through suitable bearings andprojecting beyond the sides of the beams 5 in the manner shown and theend of the shaft opposite the side of the frame upon which the motor isplaced, carries a sprocket gear 18. Between the side members of theframe 4 the shaft 17 carries a brush 19 and as shown this brush has thebristles thereof of gradually increasing length near each end so thatthese longer bristles at the ends of the brush will come down over therounded side of a motor vehicle top as the same passes under the brush.

At a suitable point rearwardly of the brush 19 a counter-shaft 20 islocated which extends transversely of the frame and the end upon theside of the frame adjacent the motor carries a relatively large sprocketgear 21 while the opposite end carries a smaller sprocket gear 22. Asshown the sprocket gear 21 is connected with the gear 15 upon the motorarmature shaft by a sprocket chain 23 while the gear 22 is connectedwith the gear 18 upon the brush shaft by a sprocket chain 24.

Mounted to extend transversely of the forward end of the frame in therear of the brush 19 is a perforated water spray pipe 25, which isconnected intermediate its ends through suitable unions, with a quickopening valve 26. This valve may be of the rotary plug type or of anyother suitable type which may be opened quickly and to which 'a leverbar may be attached. While the device is not to be restricted to the useof a rotary plug valve, this type is shown and will be described. Thestem 27 carried by the plug of the valve 26 has secured thereto a rocklever 28, the stem being attached to the lever intermediate the ends ofthe latter as shown. When the valve is closed the rock lever 28 isdisposed downwardly at an oblique angle with respect to the adjacentcross beam of the frame. Connected to the valve upon the side oppositethe connection for the spray pipe is a water supply pipe 29 whichextends rearwardly of the frame to a point adjacent the pivotal centerthereof where it may be connected with a suitable flexible coupling andwater conducting pipe which will permit oscillation of the frame Withoutinterfering with the supply of water to the pipe.

Disposed beneath and longitudinally of the frame 1 is an elongatedauxiliary frame indicated generally by the numeral 30. This frame ismade up of the side members 31 and the cross connecting member 32 at theforward end thereof, while the rear ends of the members 31 are pivotallyattached as at 33 to any suitable portion of the main frame 4, as forexample to the brace bars 16, in the manner shown. The frame ismaterially narrowerthan the main frame 4 which supports it and theforward ends of the side portions 31 terminate just behind the brush 19.

The forward end of each member 31 has pivotally attached to each sidethereof a roller 34 and behind each of these rollers there is rotatablymounted upon each member 31 a series of rubber tired wheels 35 of thecharacter generally employed upon baby carriages and preferably of aboutsix or seven inches diameter. Each side member 31 of the auxiliary framethus carries a double row of wheels as shown so that firm and steadycontact will be made with the top of the motor vehicle passinglongitudinally beneath the frames.

Suitably oscillatably mounted upon the upper surface of the bar 32 ofthe auxiliary frame 30 is a push rod 36 which is connected with thelower end of the rock lever 28. The other end of this lever 28 has a rod37 attached thereto to which is attached a rope or cable 38 which passesupwardly through a suitable pulley 39 mounted over the frame. The otherend of the cable is accessible to a person standing upon the floor ofthe room beneath the structure and when pulled upon will cause theforward or brush carrying end of the main frame, and also the auxiliaryframe, to be lifted. It will be seen, however, that a pull exerted uponthe rope 38 will not open the valve 26, in fact, if the valve happens tobe open when the rope is pulled it will cause the closing of the valve.

In operation the motor 14 of the device is energized to cause rotationof the brush 19. The frame 4 will normally assume the inclined positionshown and the forward or brush carrying end thereof will be at such anelevation from the floor that it will be impossible for a motor vehicleto pass therebeneath without having the top of the vehicle come intocontact with the rollers 34 and 35 and with the brush 19.

The machine which is to have its top washed is driven beneath andlongitudinally of the frame from the raised end thereof so that therollers upon the forward end of the auxiliary frame will ride up overthe visor of the machine top and will thus lift or swing the auxiliaryframe upwardly. This will push up on the rod 36 and open the valve 26 sothat water will be immediately discharged onto the top of the machineand will continue to flow onto the machine until the rear thereof haspassed from beneath the wheels of the auxiliary frame. It will, ofcourse, be apparent that with the water first being discharged over thetop of the machine and the brush then passing over the wetted machinetop, the thorough Washing of the same will result.

In order that the brush 19 may not bear too heavily upon the top of amotor vehicle there are provided adjustable stops 40 which, as shown inFigure 3, are mounted upon the front cross bar 6 of the frame 1. Each ofthese stops is relatively long and is provided with a number ofapertures 41 through one of which may be extended a bolt 42 which ispassed through the bar 6 in the manner shown in Figure 3. By placingthese stops 40 at the proper point on the bar 6 the frame 36 will onlybe permitted to swing upwardly a short distance so that the brush 19will not rest too heavily upon the top of the machine passing beneaththe washing device. Movement of the frame 30 is sufiicient, however,to'completely open the valve 26 of the water pipe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising a rotating brush,means carrying the brush at an elevation whereby a motor vehicle maypass therebeneath to make contact between the brush and the top of thevehicle, a valved water supply pipe having downwardly directed dischargeopen ngs disposed adjacent said brush, a body mounted adjacent the brushfor relative vertical movement with respect to the brush carrying means,rotatably mounted elements carried by the body and projecting beneaththe plane thereof, said body being raised by contact of the top of themotor vehicle with said elements in the passage of the vehicletherebeneath, and means connecting said body with the valve of saidwater supply pipe to open said valve upon the upward movement of thebody.

2. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising an elongated frame,means for pivotally supporting said frame at an elevation to permit amotor vehicle to pass therebeneath, said pivotal support being disposedbetween the transverse center of the frame and one end thereof wherebyto cause the other end of the frame to normally be directed downwardly,a rotating brush supported transversely of the said other end of theframe, a valved water supply pipe disposed adjacent said brush, a secondframe pivotally attached to the first frame and adapted to be shiftedvertically, said second frame being disposed for contact with the top ofa vehicle passing therebeneath, and means connecting said second framewith the valve of the water supply pipe to cause the opening of thevalve upon the lifting of the frame.

3. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising an elongated frame,means for pivotally supporting said frame at an elevation to permit amotor vehicle to pass therebeneath, said pivotal support being disposedbetween the transverse center of the frame and one end thereof wherebyto cause the other end of the frame to normally be directed downwardly,a rotating brush supported transversely of the said other end of theframe, a valved water supply pipe disposed adjacent said brush, a secondframe pivotally attached to the first frame and adapted to be shiftedvertically, said second frame being disposed for contact with the top ofa vehicle passing therebeneath, means connecting said second frame withthe valve of the water supply pipe to cause the opening of the valveupon the lifting of the frame, and a plurality of rotating elementscarried by said second frame for contact with the top of the motorvehicle passing therebeneath.

l. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising an elongated frame,means for pivotally supporting said frame at an elevation to permit amotor vehicle to pass therebeneath, said pivotal support being disposedbetween the transverse center of the frame and one end thereof wherebyto cause the other end of the frame to normally be directed downwardly,a rotating brush supported transversely of the said other end of theframe, a valved water supply pipe disposed adjacent said brush, a secondframe pivotally attached to the first frame and adapted to be shiftedvertically, said second frame being disposed for contact with the top ofa vehicle passing therebeneath, means connecting said second frame withthe valve of the water supply pipe to cause the opening of the valveupon the lifting of the frame, and a counter-balance upon the firstmentioned frame at the other end from the brush, to assist in thelifting of the brush carrying end of the frame.

5. A car top washing device, comprising an elongated frame, means forpivotally supporting said frame at a point between the transverse centerand one end thereof, a brush rotatably supported in the other end of theframe, means carried by the frame for driving said brush, a water supplypipe extending transversely of the frame adjacent the brush, a valve inthe pipe having a movable element by which it is opened or closed, asecond frame disposed longitudinally on the underside of the firstmentioned frame and having the end remote from the brush pivotallyattached to the first frame, a plurality of roller members disposedlongitudinally on each side of the second frame for contact with the topof a motor vehicle passing therebeneath and longitudinally thereof, anda connecting bar between said second frame at the end adjacent saidbrush and the said movable element of the valve, said bar being moved toactuate said element, to open the valve, when shifted by the secondframe as the latter is lifted, by a motor vehicle passing therebeneath.

6. A car top washing device, comprising an elongated frame, means forpivotally supporting said frame at a point between the transverse centerand one end thereof, a brush rotatably supported in the other end of theframe, means carried by the frame for driving said brush, a water supplypipe extending transversely of the frame adjacent the brush, a valve inthe pipe having a movable element by which it is opened or closed, asecond frame disposed longitudinally on the underside of the firstmentioned frame and having the end remote from the brush pivotallyattached to the first frame, a plurality of roller members disposedlongitudinally on each side of the second frame for contact with the topof a motor vehicle passing therebeneath and longitudinally thereof, aconnecting bar between said second frame at the end adjacent said brushand the said movable element of the valve said bar being moved toactuate said element, to open the valve, when shifted by the secondframe as the latter is lifted, by a motor vehicle passing therebeneath,and means for manually lifting the brush end of said frame, said meansbeing connected to said valve whereby to actuate the same to closingposition when the frame is lifted by said manual means.

7. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising an elongated frame,means for pivotally supporting said frame at a point between thetransverse center and one end thereof, a counterbalance upon the end ofthe frame adjacent the pivot point thereof, a rotating brush extendingtransversely of the frame at the other end, a water supply pipeextending transversely of the frame adjacent said brush, a valvecontrolling said pipe and having an operating lever connectedintermediate its ends thereto, a second elongated frame extendinglongitudinally of the first mentioned frame, a hinge connection betweenone end of said second frame and the first frame, the other end of saidsecond frame being disposed adjacent said brush and hanging below thefirst frame, a plurality of wheels mounted along each side of saidsecond frame for contact with the top of a motor vehicle passinglongitudinally therebeneath, a connecting rod between the hanging end ofsaid second frame and one end of said valve lever, and means formanually lifting the brush carrying end of said first frame, said meansbeing connected with the other end of said valve lever and when operatedshifting the lever to close the valve.

8. A motor vehicle top washing device, comprising a rotating brushdisposed horizontally to engage across the top of a motor vehiclepassing therebeneath, counter-balanced pivoted supporting means for saidbrush which when moved in one direction raises the brush substantiallyvertically, a water spray device disposed adjacent said brush fordischarging water onto the motor vehicle top, valve means controllingthe flow of water through the device, an element movable in asubstantially vertical direction carried by the counterbalancedsupporting means and arranged to be engaged by the motor vehicle top inadvance of the brush, and means connecting said movable element withsaid valve means of the water discharge pipe whereby the latter isopened when the element is raised.

FRANK X. ZIMMER.

